African violet plant named Rumiko

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of African violet named Rumiko characterized by its single violet-shaped, purplish blue flowers; strong, upright flower stems that curve slightly toward the center to form a compact bouquet above the leaves; medium green, oval leaves; profuse flowering, vigorous and compact growth habit, flowering 10-11 weeks after potting, and its long lasting and non-dropping flowers.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Africanviolet plant, botanically known as Saintpaulia ionantha, and hereinafterreferred to by the cultivar name Rumiko.

The new cultivar was referred to during the breeding and selectionprocess by the designation 800/20 and is a product of a planned breedingprogram. The new cultivar was originated from a cross made by me in thecontrolled breeding program in Haffen, Federal Republic of Germany. Thefemale, or seed parent was a cultivar designated K 129/3. The male, orpollen parent was a cultivar designated I 102/6.

Rumiko was discovered and selected by me as a flowering plant within theprogeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in Haffen, WestGermany. Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by leaf cuttings, asperformed by me at Haffen, West Germany, has demonstrated that thecombination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivarare firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexualreproduction.

Rumiko has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations inenvironment such as temperature, light intensity and day length. Thefollowing observations, measurements and values describe the newcultivar as grown in Haffen, West Germany and Nashville, Tenn. undergreenhouse conditions which closely approximate those generally used incommercial practice.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of Rumiko, which in combination distinguishthis African violet as a new and distinct cultivar:

1) Strong, upright flower stems curving slightly toward the center.

2) Single violet-shaped purplish blue flowers.

3) Profuse flowering.

4) Each plant carries 9-12 and more upright flower stems each of whichcarries 8-9 and more flowers.

5) Long lasting, non-dropping flowers.

6) Vigorous and compact grower.

7) Plant saleable 10 to 11 weeks after potting.

8) Seed capsules push slightly through.

9) Medium green, oval leaves.

10) After maturity the flowers dry off, and remain on the pedunclewithout becoming infected by botrytis.

Rumiko is similar in certain respects to Improved Iowa, disclosed inU.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,132. The purplish blue color of the blooms and thevelvety, medium green foliage of Improved Iowa and Rumiko are similar.However, Rumiko has a darker shade of Violet-Blue Group 89 and theblooms have longer, less rounded petals than those of Improved Iowa.Also, in contrast to Rumiko, Improved Iowa has somewhat wavy blooms andoften 1-2 additional very small petals in the center. Rumiko has moreflower stems and more flowers per stem than Improved Iowa. Finally,Rumiko has oval leaves, whereas Improve Iowa has oval to heart-shapedleaves.

The accompanying color photographic drawing shows a typical specimenplant of the new cultivar. The colors appearing in the photograph are astrue as possible with color illustrations of this type.

In the following description, color references are made to the RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), except where general colorsof ordinary signifance are referred to. Color values were taken undernatural sunlight conditions at approximately 12 p.m. in Nashville, Tenn.

Botanical classification: Saintpaulia ionantha, Ramat., c.v. Rumiko.

Parentage:

Male parent.--I 102/6.

Female parent.--K 129/3.

Propagation: The new cultivar holds its distinguishing characteristicsthrough successive propagations by leaf cuttings.

Plant: From 8 cm to 11 cm tall when grown in pots, and 23-28 cm indiameter when fully grown.

Leaves:

General form.--Oval.

Diameter.--55-60 mm wide and 65-70 mm long.

Texture.--Velvety.

Aspect.--Shiny, hairy.

Veins.--Upperside: visible; underside: well pronounced, light green orpurplish red, shiny.

Color (upperside).--Yellow-Green Group 147 A.

Color (underside).--Greyed-Green Group 194 C to D.

Petiole.--Strong upright, brownish red, hairy.

Flowers:

Buds.--Bell-shaped, purplish, 5-7 mm just before opening.

Sepals.--Five (5). Color: Brownish green.

Calyx.--Shape: Funnel-shaped. Aspect: Spear-shaped, hairy.

Peduncle.--Character: Strong upright, hairy. Color: Green with purplishbrown touch.

Individual flowers:

Size.--40-45 mm.

Shape.--Single violet-shaped.

Color (upperside).--Violet-Blue Group 89 A to B. Under coolertemperatures and more intensive lighting, the purplish blue tends tointensify.

Color (underside).--Violet-Blue Group 89 B to C.

Borne.--Each flower stem carries 8-9 and more flowers on strong, uprightpeduncles that are free standing above the leaves, thereby forming acompact bouquet.

Flowering habit.--Flowers 10-11 weeks after potting.

Reproductive organs:

Stamens.--Two (2). Anthers: 2 composed of 4 anther cells, seed capsulespush slightly through.

Filaments.--Yellowish green with purplish blue touch, 3-4 mm long.

Pollen color.--Yellow Group 7 A.

Styles.--5-7 mm long, purplish blue, base of ovary light green andhairy.

Roots: Normally developed, white when young, turning slightly brownishwhen older.

Disease resistance: Up to date, Rumiko has shown very good resistance toall major violet diseases.

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS

Rumiko is an attractive, vigorous grower with medium green, oval leaves.A tight bouquet of flowers free standing above the leaves develops after10-11 weeks. Each of the 9-12 and more strong flower stems carries 8-9and more single, violet-shaped purplish blue flowers contrasting nicelywith the bright yellow anthers. The flowers are long-lasting andnon-dropping and the seed capsules push slightly through.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of African violet named Rumiko,as described and illustrated, and particularly characterized by itssingle violet-shaped, purplish blue flowers; strong, upright flowerstems that curve slightly toward the center to form a compact bouquetabove the leaves; medium green, oval leaves; profuse flowering, vigorousand compact growth habit, flowering 10-11 weeks after potting, and itslong lasting and non-dropping flowers.